QUESTION
Educational institutions have a responsibility to dissuade students from pursuing fields of study in which they are unlikely to succeed.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the claim. In developing and supporting your position, be sure to address the most compelling reasons and/or examples that could be used to challenge your position.


RESPONSE
A child’s passion for a field of study is one of the main pillars on which his success in the field is hinged. Educational institutions should therefore fuel students’ passions towards pursuing fields of study by providing enabling environments for their students to passionately learn and inculcate all that is needed for them to succeed in those fields instead of dissuading them because they show unlikelihood of success.
Contrary to the claim, a student may show poor performance academically in his chosen field of study but still succeed in the field because of his passion and determination if he is encouraged and given the support needed by parents, schools and society. Instead of educational institutions dissuading students from pursuing fields in which they ‘seem’ unlikely to succeed, the institutions should encourage, motivate and fuel the students’ passions towards such fields.
Some people may say that educational performance is an indicator that one is likely to succeed in a particular field but I disagree with this because a child who is not good in Mathematics today may be the best mathematician tomorrow if given the required support needed. For example, Albert Einstein who became one of the most important Mathematician and Physicist was very poor in Mathematics until his uncle encouraged him and taught him Mathematics, Physics and Astrology. Also, Gani Fawehinmi, who was a very prominent and competent Nigerian lawyer came out with the lowest grade in Law from the university but he ended up becoming a very successful lawyer in Nigeria.
I strongly believe that the passion for a field of study is the recipe for success in that field. For instance, Jeffry Bruce Atkins (Ja Rule), an American Rapper and Hip Hop musician has a ‘croaky’ voice but he has done very well for himself in the music industry in the United States of America because he was passionate about music and the music educational institutions gave him the opportunity to thrive. He was not dissuaded because of his voice which shows his unlikelihood of success in the field.
I am of the stance that instead for educational to dissuade students from pursuing a field, they should find out reasons why such students perform poorly in subjects relating to the field. Students might be facing challenges which may include family issues, emotional disturbance, peer pressure etc. which might be the cause for poor performance in a particular field of study. Such students should be counselled and given enabling environments, so that they can pursue their dreams passionately and ultimately succeed in their chosen fields.